Our View: Sending out a lifeline to laid-off firefighters

The layoffs of Fall River firefighters occur in mid-July will imperil the livelihoods of dozens of firefighters who have families to feed and bills to pay. Those firefighters might have been at a severe disadvantage when looking for new firefighting jobs in other communities because, unlike 70 percent of other Massachusetts communities, Fall River does not require firefighters to hold EMT certification.

The layoffs of Fall River firefighters occur in mid-July will imperil the livelihoods of dozens of firefighters who have families to feed and bills to pay. Those firefighters might have been at a severe disadvantage when looking for new firefighting jobs in other communities because, unlike 70 percent of other Massachusetts communities, Fall River does not require firefighters to hold EMT certification.

However, employment prospects are looking better for about two dozen of those firefighters thanks to a unique public-private partnership that has emerged. Stat Southcoast EMS, with the help of some of the private ambulance company’s employees who volunteered as instructors, has stepped in to offer that training course free of charge to firefighters expecting layoffs.

Meanwhile, the Fall River Firefighters Union Local 1314 provided $5,000 to cover the cost of training materials and books. The Fire Department facilitated scheduling that allowed the firefighters to take the three-day-a-week, five-week training class and also provided the classroom space in fire headquarters.

All firefighters facing layoffs were invited to take the EMT class; 24 decided to take it up. Those two dozen firefighters who completed the 150-hour course will be taking their exams in late June and then receive their certification. That will allow the displaced firefighters to be well positioned to get a new job. Under civil service regulations, laid-off firefighters are placed on a list and municipalities are required to hire off that list when positions open.

The FRFD staffing situation has been in flux, which must be a source of anxiety for those affected. The $14.4 million federal SAFER grant, which expires on July 11, had been funding the salaries of 79 firefighters.

Although the final number of layoffs resulting from the expiration of the grant is dependent on the City Council’s approval of the Fiscal 2015 budget, the city’s firefighting ranks are expected to drop to 175 from current staffing levels of 213, under an agreement between Mayor Will Flanagan and the firefighters union. Under the pact, more firefighters will be rehired or brought on incrementally in the coming years until staffing levels reach 200 in 2018.

While the layoffs of firefighters will be difficult for all involved, this training program represents a solid way to train these young firefighters and give them an edge as they look for new firefighting jobs. Without these classes, the displaced firefighters would likely have to take the $1,000 class on their own dime and miss the opportunity to find a job when opportunities open up at the beginning of the new fiscal year.

Beyond being able to land on their feet after a layoff, with the new EMT skills they’ve learned, these firefighters are now better trained first responders. These skills could even potentially help these firefighters save lives both on and off the clock. That’s a winning proposition for everyone.